Improvement in helmets for firemen



J. E. SPEAR, Jr.

7 HELMETS FOR FIREMEN.

No.171,636. Patented Dec. 28, 1875.

NJETERS. FHOTOlLITHQGRAPHE R. WASNINGTOII. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES E. SPEAR, JR, OF MELROSE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE W. SIMMONS & SON.

IMPROVEMENT IN HELMETS FOR FIREMEN.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 171,636. dated December 28, 1875; application filed November 10, 1875.

A form and principal features'of the ordinary helmet, can be made cheaper and lighter.

In the drawings I have shown, in Figure'l, a section from front to rear through my improved helmet; in Fig. 2, a view of the top with a portion of the crown removed; and Figs. 3 and 4 show details of construction.

These helmets are now commonly made of leather, the crown being in four pieces, the edges of which are sewed together, so as to form the ribs B B. In my helmet the crown is made of felt, in the usual way, and the ribs B B are formed from leather, metal, or other material, and attached to the crown. This is the main feature of my invention. The common helmets are also made by sewing the rim and crown together, while my helmet is made with the rim and crown in one piece, as felt hats are usually made, and the combination of a hat with the rim and crown in one piece, and the ribs B B, constitute the second feature of my invention.

In the drawings, A is the crown; A, therim, and B the ribs; G O, the usual ornamental portions of the helmet, and D the sweat-lining.' The ribs B I usually make of leather or metal. When of leather I attach them to the crown by cement; when of metal, either by sewing, holes for the needle being first punched in the sheet metal, or by rivets, all as fully shown in Figs. 3 and 4.. When leather is used for the ribs I prefer to stiffen it with resin and alcohol, and I also usually size the outside of the felt, both crown and rim, so that it will take a coating of japan, asphaltum, or

paint; but these matters are too well knownto need description. I commonly use from four to eight ribs; but the number is not material.

What I claim as my invention is' 1. A firemans helmet with the crown made whole, and having the ribs B attached to it, substantially as described. I

2. The improved helmet above described, having the rim and crown in one piece, and the ribs B attached to it, substantially as described.

JAMES E. SPEAR, JR.

Witnesses:

J. E. MAYNADIER, J. E. KNOX. 

